Iconic Guitar Builder Loses His Home and Workshop to Flames in Paradise

"[This is] not science as we know it, but another kind. I've been looking for a solution which goes back to Egypt, and to the whole universe. I think musicians are on a superior level, but unlike scientists, they haven't been accepted for their abilities."

"[This is] not science as we know it, but another kind. I've been looking for a solution which goes back to Egypt, and to the whole universe. I think musicians are on a superior level, but unlike scientists, they haven't been accepted for their abilities."

Of course, there is no easy answer to the problem of catastrophic fires here in the west. Reducing global warming is a big factor and we are moving too slowly on that. Continued control burning will help. The other smart thing to do would be to NOT rebuild places like Paradise, California but it looks like people from there want to do that anyway. That just seems incredibly foolish to me. With the steep canyons surrounding that area, it will continue to be a high hazard area for fire. In 2008 a 22,800 acre fires swept through the area. It will just happen over and over again... and people want to rebuild there?

Humans. Not very bright animals.

"[This is] not science as we know it, but another kind. I've been looking for a solution which goes back to Egypt, and to the whole universe. I think musicians are on a superior level, but unlike scientists, they haven't been accepted for their abilities."

Of course, there is no easy answer to the problem of catastrophic fires here in the west. Reducing global warming is a big factor and we are moving too slowly on that. Continued control burning will help. The other smart thing to do would be to NOT rebuild places like Paradise, California but it looks like people from there want to do that anyway. That just seems incredibly foolish to me. With the steep canyons surrounding that area, it will continue to be a high hazard area for fire. In 2008 a 22,800 acre fires swept through the area. It will just happen over and over again... and people want to rebuild there?

Humans. Not very bright animals.

It would hurt if fewer people moving to California. Because people need/use vast amounts of resources.

Of course, there is no easy answer to the problem of catastrophic fires here in the west. Reducing global warming is a big factor and we are moving too slowly on that. Continued control burning will help. The other smart thing to do would be to NOT rebuild places like Paradise, California but it looks like people from there want to do that anyway. That just seems incredibly foolish to me. With the steep canyons surrounding that area, it will continue to be a high hazard area for fire. In 2008 a 22,800 acre fires swept through the area. It will just happen over and over again... and people want to rebuild there?

Humans. Not very bright animals.

It would hurt if fewer people moving to California. Because people need/use vast amounts of resources.

But this is an arid state. More people here is not sustainable. The aquifers have been reduced and drought is common. The 20th century was an unusually wet period of time and we are returning to more drought. And global warming to that and the problem intensifies. This state is beyond carrying capacity already.

"[This is] not science as we know it, but another kind. I've been looking for a solution which goes back to Egypt, and to the whole universe. I think musicians are on a superior level, but unlike scientists, they haven't been accepted for their abilities."

There will be more deaths discovered, but not all of the couple hundred that are missing. Some of the house in that area are vacation properties. In same cases, people where on vacation or away on business. One woman I talked to today has a sister who was in another state camping in back country and didn't know about the fire until yesterday.

And now, to make matters worse, the norovirus has broken out in one of the Chico wildfire shelters.

Yeah sure, there are always some people who show up later when communication systems break down. But they are also working hard sifting through the ashes looking for human remains. It's horrible for anyone who doesn't know where a loved one is. I don't know if I could take it.

Yes, it's dreadful. I don't personally know any of the missing folks from up there, but a few people close to me are going through the anxiety of not knowing where one particular couple are and that worry is causing a lot of stress. A lot of people in the foothill communities are stressed out and even more, of course, going though the worst hell of their lives.

Despite the bad air and a persistent cough I and others around here have developed, I'm grateful to still have a home. But we are also very dry here in El Dorado County. We live in an area with more dead trees and dead shrubbery than the county and many land/home owners can keep up with as far as removal. Until we finally get some rain, ever day involves a fair amount of vigilance for fire. It's nerve wracking.

So I'm sorry if this is crass or whatever, but have you considered how long you're willing to put up with these fires around you? What if it just keeps on happening like it has been indefinitely, and you just live consistently with that kind of air? Are you just going to try and suck it up and live with it? Or are you thinking about moving?

Not taken as crass at all. I think about moving a lot.

I grew up on the west coast about 1/2 hour from the ocean. My mother grew up in Jenner-By-The-Sea on the Sonoma coast. it's in my blood. To live anywhere else (I've tried) would be futile. The problem is that (for me anyway), living on the west coast means one of two things: being very rich and living in an area that is fairly clean and healthy, or being middle to low income and living in a place that is not so healthy. Unless I win the lottery (or get killed by lightning- same odds) I guess I'll just have to-- *cough*cough*hack*hack* -- deal with it.

Edit: And the irony is, where I live now is getting closer and closer to being 4 hours or more from here as traffic gets worse. People still flock to California. Why the hell? Dunno!

Couldn't you move to Oregon or Washington? There are plenty of smaller towns all up the coast where it's not insanely expensive, no? Especially if you're talking an hour inland or something...

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata

There will be more deaths discovered, but not all of the couple hundred that are missing. Some of the house in that area are vacation properties. In same cases, people where on vacation or away on business. One woman I talked to today has a sister who was in another state camping in back country and didn't know about the fire until yesterday.

And now, to make matters worse, the norovirus has broken out in one of the Chico wildfire shelters.

Yeah sure, there are always some people who show up later when communication systems break down. But they are also working hard sifting through the ashes looking for human remains. It's horrible for anyone who doesn't know where a loved one is. I don't know if I could take it.

Yes, it's dreadful. I don't personally know any of the missing folks from up there, but a few people close to me are going through the anxiety of not knowing where one particular couple are and that worry is causing a lot of stress. A lot of people in the foothill communities are stressed out and even more, of course, going though the worst hell of their lives.

Despite the bad air and a persistent cough I and others around here have developed, I'm grateful to still have a home. But we are also very dry here in El Dorado County. We live in an area with more dead trees and dead shrubbery than the county and many land/home owners can keep up with as far as removal. Until we finally get some rain, ever day involves a fair amount of vigilance for fire. It's nerve wracking.

So I'm sorry if this is crass or whatever, but have you considered how long you're willing to put up with these fires around you? What if it just keeps on happening like it has been indefinitely, and you just live consistently with that kind of air? Are you just going to try and suck it up and live with it? Or are you thinking about moving?

Not taken as crass at all. I think about moving a lot.

I grew up on the west coast about 1/2 hour from the ocean. My mother grew up in Jenner-By-The-Sea on the Sonoma coast. it's in my blood. To live anywhere else (I've tried) would be futile. The problem is that (for me anyway), living on the west coast means one of two things: being very rich and living in an area that is fairly clean and healthy, or being middle to low income and living in a place that is not so healthy. Unless I win the lottery (or get killed by lightning- same odds) I guess I'll just have to-- *cough*cough*hack*hack* -- deal with it.

Edit: And the irony is, where I live now is getting closer and closer to being 4 hours or more from here as traffic gets worse. People still flock to California. Why the hell? Dunno!

Couldn't you move to Oregon or Washington? There are plenty of smaller towns all up the coast where it's not insanely expensive, no? Especially if you're talking an hour inland or something...

Western Oregon and Western Washington are pretty much the same as much of California as far as cost of living. We've spent a fair amount of time exploring both options. I still look at listings for much of the west coast but it gets a bit discouraging after a while. A lot depends too on what happens when C. retires from the Bookstore she has been co-owner of for 35 years. Our options will be more open. Meanwhile, I am longing for the rain that is coming soon. It will feel like a safety net!

"[This is] not science as we know it, but another kind. I've been looking for a solution which goes back to Egypt, and to the whole universe. I think musicians are on a superior level, but unlike scientists, they haven't been accepted for their abilities."

The So. Cal. burn areas are supposed to be hit with rain in the next day or so...hope these folks can avoid the anticipated mud and rock slides; fuck knows they've gone through (and lost) enough already.

The So. Cal. burn areas are supposed to be hit with rain in the next day or so...hope these folks can avoid the anticipated mud and rock slides; fuck knows they've gone through (and lost) enough already.

I hope so too.

The rains are hitting north California steadily and already causing problems for the many folks in ten caps in and around Chico. The rain is a real mixed bag. It will help put out the fires. It is a HUGE welcome relief for the many of us who live in fire danger areas of the state (i.e. a very large portion of the state). And though overall this rain is much needed and very welcome, it is also adding to the misery of those without homes and could well create more problems with slides. It's a major blessing with a cost to some of the less fortunate souls. Money and housing are what these folks need most, rain is what the state as a whole is desperate for.

"[This is] not science as we know it, but another kind. I've been looking for a solution which goes back to Egypt, and to the whole universe. I think musicians are on a superior level, but unlike scientists, they haven't been accepted for their abilities."

"[This is] not science as we know it, but another kind. I've been looking for a solution which goes back to Egypt, and to the whole universe. I think musicians are on a superior level, but unlike scientists, they haven't been accepted for their abilities."

"[This is] not science as we know it, but another kind. I've been looking for a solution which goes back to Egypt, and to the whole universe. I think musicians are on a superior level, but unlike scientists, they haven't been accepted for their abilities."